Pope Francis points at the statue of Jesus during his speech as he celebrates a Mass in Tacloban, Philippines, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. A rain-drenched but lively crowd wearing yellow and white raincoats welcomed Pope Francis in the typhoon-ravage central Philippine city of Tacloban early Saturday, chanting “Papa Francesco, Viva il Papa!” AP/Alessandra Tarantino

By Camille Diola(philstar.com) | Updated January 17, 2015

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis pushed through with the Holy Mass celebrated with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and typhoon survivors in Tacloban City on Saturday despite tropical cyclone “Amang.”

The pope wore a yellow raincoat over his vestments while celebrating Mass amid strong winds. He delivered the homily in his native tongue, Spanish, departing from the prepared message in English.

“If you allow me, I prefer today to speak in Spanish. I have a translator, a good translator. May I do it?” Pope Francis…

Like this:

November 8, 2013 was probably the most terrifying day for all Filipinos. The threat of nature was at its strongest and it goes by the name Super Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda). The highest intensity of it was felt in the Visayas, specifically Northern Iloilo. It came with howling of winds and heavy rains. And, for a span of more or less 2 hours, people were holding on to their dear lives, hoping and praying that they would still be able to see the sun the next day.

The day ended with weeping adults, dead bodies, devastated homes, and traumatized children. Thousands of life perished but thousands more were forced to face a new day with losses of loved ones, shelter and peace of mind. In this catastrophe, God has sent angels in the form of non-government and humanitarian organizations.

(Reuters) – An emotional Pope Francis, wearing a plastic poncho over his vestments to protect him from the wind and rain on Saturday, comforted survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines’ worst natural disaster that killed about 6,300 people 14 months ago.

“I would like to tell you something close to my heart,” Francis told worshippers as strong wind whipped the seaside area, putting aside his prepared homily to deliver a moving, impromptu address.

“When I saw from Rome that catastrophe, I felt that I had to be here. On those very days I decided to come here. I am here to be with you. Perhaps a little late, I have to say, but…

I was expecting Pope Francis to speak out about disasters, climate change and ecosystem degradation before the estimated 150,000 who gathered at the Tacloban airport. After all, Haiyan is the worst embodiment so far of the deadly and devastating combination of natural hazards, climate change and ecosystem degradation. And the Pope’s position on these issues is well known.

“An economic system centred on the god of money needs to plunder nature to sustain the frenetic rhythm of consumption that is inherent to it.

“The system continues unchanged, since what dominates are the dynamics of an economy and a finance that are lacking in ethics. It is no longer man who commands, but money. Cash commands.

“The monopolising of lands, deforestation, the appropriation of water, inadequate agro-toxics are some of the evils that tear man from the land of his birth. Climate change, the loss of biodiversity and deforestation are already…

This is a post, a part of a series, to commemorate the Pope’s visit to the Philippines on January 15-19 2015.

The highlight of the Pope’s visit in the Philippines was his trip to Tacloban, otherwise known as ground-zero of the Haiyan devastation. On the day the Pope visited Tacloban, another storm hit the city. Interestingly, the storm was named locally as “Amang”, which translates to Father in English. The storm cut the Pope’s Tacloban visit short, killed a woman volunteer, and caused a plane carrying government officials to skid off the runway.

The Pope in a raincoat, as he waves to a crowd after holding a mass in an airport in Tacloban City, Philippines on January 17, 2015. Image from Damir Sagolj/Reuters

The Pope’s visit gives residents of Tacloban hope and inspiration as they continue to rebuild their city.

We discussed how aid agencies can be more accountable to the people they serve. (“Accountability to Affected People”, AAP, in the jargon. Of which more below.) In general, this means enabling them to influence what we do.

Everyone agrees it is a good idea. Or even a foundation of good practice. In theory, it ensures that the assistance we provide is relevant and respectful to the people we serve.

In the Haiyan Response, there’s plenty of evidence that we’re getting better at it. And also that there’s a way further to go. (See also CDAC’s material on Community Feedback Forms: practical, powerful and deserving replication.)

Originally posted on One Day At A Time: We finally made it to Tacloban! Our trip to Tanauan Leyte was planned for last September. But owing to the poor condition of the airport runway, we decided to postpone it to 22-26…

Like this:

Post navigation

STORIES OF HEROISM

It was November 8, 2013. The day when the Filipinos’ courage and strength were put to test. A super typhoon named Haiyan (locally known as “Yolanda”) struck Central Visayas creating a 25-foot tidal wave. In one clean swoop, Yolanda obliterated the coastal areas where it made landfall on Friday, November 8. More than 11 million people were displaced or rendered homeless. Tacloban City, the capital of the province of Leyte was hit the hardest.

Indeed, Yolanda had come to be known as the strongest typhoon in recorded history. It was 3.5 times worse than Hurricane Katrina, which had devastated New Orleans in August 2005 and claimed the lives of more than 1,800 Americans. By comparison, Philippine government figures show that Yolanda left in her wake more than 6,300 people dead.

This blog is not about the typhoon and the devastation of the areas affected, but about the PEOPLE who came in rescue, and those who inspired others to help one another. This blog is about the modern-day HEROES created by Typhoon Yolanda.

Come join me in telling the stories of heroism, and inspiration.

DISCLAIMER

Posts and photographs are reposts from various sites. Sources are acknowledged as much as possible. Any objections about the posts can be forwarded to heroesofyolanda@yahoo.com, or by writing a comment in one of the posts. The post in question will be removed on request.

If you have any suggested individuals or organizations that should be featured, please email related article or link on the above-mentioned email address.